Background To bridge the physical distance between parents and children during a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, webcams are used in few German NICUs. They allow parents to view their infant even when they cannot be present on the ward. The aim of the study was to explore the factors for and against webcam use that parents with or without webcam use encountered. Methods Guideline-based, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in the period from September 2019 to August 2020. Interview transcripts were analysed using a category-based content analysis. The categories were generated in a combined deductive–inductive procedure. Results We interviewed 33 mothers and seven fathers. Parents with webcam experience emphasised positive aspects concerning their webcam use. Factors that increased webcam acceptance included feeling certain about the child’s well-being and an increased sense of proximity. Only a few critical voices emerged from parents who had webcam experience, e.g. regarding privacy concerns. Parents who had no experience with webcam use showed ambivalence. On the one hand, they expressed a positive attitude towards the webcam system and acknowledged that webcam use could result in feelings of control. On the other hand, reservations emerged concerning an increase of mental stress or a negative influence on parental visitation behaviour. Conclusion In addition to the parents’ positive experiences with webcam use, results show a need within parents who lacked webcam experience. Despite some criticism, it was evident that webcam use was primarily seen as an opportunity to counteract the negative consequences of separation in the postnatal phase. Trial registration The Neo-CamCare study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register. DRKS-ID: DRKS00017755. Date of Registration in DRKS: 25-09-2019.
Background The separation of parents and their prematurely born children during care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of the parents and also of the children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of webcams on NICUs and to conduct a systematic assessment of their possible effects on parents and clinical staff. In addition, it aims at determining the need for webcams in German NICUs and to identify possible barriers and moderators. The development and evaluation of practical guidance for the use of webcams will enable the comprehensive education of clinical staff and parents and, as a result, is intended to mitigate any potential undesirable consequences. Methods The study will be based on a mixed methods approach including all groups concerned in the care. Qualitative data will be collected in interviews and focus groups and evaluated using content analysis. The collection of quantitative data will be based on written questionnaires and will aim to assess the status quo as regards the use of webcams on German NICUs and the effects on parents, physicians, and nursing staff. These effects will be assessed in a randomised cross-over design. Four NICUs will be involved in the study and, in total, the parents of 730 premature babies will be invited to take part in the study. The effects on the nursing staff, such as additional workload and interruptions in workflows, will be evaluated on the basis of observation data. Discussion This study will be the largest multicentre study known to us that systematically evaluates the use of webcams in neonatal intensive care units. The effects of the implementation of webcams on both parents and care providers will be considered. The results provide evidence to decide whether to promote the use of webcams on NICUs or not and what to consider when implementing them. Trial registration The trial has been registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS). Number of registration: DRKS00017755, date of registration: 25.09.2019,
Aim To examine parents' perceptions of stress and their trust in physicians and nursing staff and to investigate whether trust influences the parental perceptions of potential stressors resulting from their infant's hospitalisation in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods Parents of very and extremely low birth weight infants were surveyed in a nationwide retrospective cross‐sectional study 6–18 months after their child's birth. Parental stress was measured utilising the PSS:NICU_German/2‐scales, and trust was measured by the scales Trust in Physicians and Trust in Nursing Staff. In addition to descriptive analyses, multiple linear regression models were conducted. Results The change in parents' anticipated roles was assessed as more stressful than their infant's appearance and behaviour. Trust in nursing staff significantly influenced the parental stress level. Although the level of trust in physicians was rated higher than trust in nursing staff, trust in physicians did not yield a significant effect on the parental stress experience. Conclusion Efforts to foster parental trust in nursing staff may reduce the parental stress level and hence enable parents to better cope with the situation. The parental resources unleashed in this way can be employed to enhance parenting.
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